The city of Algoma will be once again boosting its tourism possibilities, with the addition of a new hotel, if everything goes according to plan.

Michael Linder of Hotel R&D, an independent feasibility study and market research firm, on Thursday presented the idea to build a GrandStay Hospitality hotel to the Algoma Common Council.

GrandStay has hotels in 27 cities, including Sheboygan, Appleton, Madison, Mount Horeb, Eau Claire and La Crosse in Wisconsin. Linder told the Council GrandStay wants to come into Kewaunee County and specifically Algoma.

"Aside from the beauty of Lake Michigan and the thriving downtown, there is an industrial base (in Algoma) that I didn't know existed," Linder said. "We look at three things in our study, commercial, leisure and group activities."

Hotel R&D had looked in other cities including Kewaunee, Luxemburg and Sturgeon Bay, but they kept coming back to Algoma, Linder said.

"There is a lack of national chain presence," Linder said.

He stated GrandStay would offer a large online presence, offer more rooms, so as to not send tourists to other communities.

Projected plans are being determined once they secure a location near both the lake and the downtown. Linder said he is hoping to have about 50 rooms, designed to the style and culture of the city.

Linder said the hotel would include a pool, reception area, fitness center, board rooms and a variety of suites. GrandStay also wants to partner with other local businesses and venues to create more of an attraction to Algoma.

The potential timeline is to secure the site, and have the building completed within six months after that. Linder predicted it would be a $5 million project.

Council members James Barlow and Roy Beyer said they are excited about the project. Mary Pat Carlson of the Farm Market Kitchen also made positive comments.

For more information on GrandStay Hospitality, visit www.grandstayhospitality.com.